Carolwood Foundation's fundraiser will reunite 5 of the 6 cars that originally made up the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad

Yesterday's article about DCA's entrance complex seems to
have struck a nerve with JHM readers. Especially the part of that column which
talked about the California Zephyr replica that sits in Sunshine Plaza. I can't
tell you how many e-mails I got from rail fans who moaned about how their
favorite part of this theme park was about to be hauled away.

And - yes - it is sad when this Disney California Adventure
train has to go to that big roundhouse in the sky. But what if I were to tell
you that one of the Disneyland Resort's other trains - to be specific, the
combine coach & passenger cars from "Retlaw 1" - were about to ride
the rails again? Making a historic run out at Santa Margarita Ranch for what is
very likely to be a never-to-be-repeated event.

Copyright The Carolwood Foundation. All rights reserved

"And why is this event likely to never-to-be-repeated?," you
ask. Well, the good folks at the Carolwood Foundation (which is that 501-3
non-profit organization that's dedicated to supporting, preserving &
celebrating Walt Disney's Railroad
Legacy) have big plans for that combine coach. They eventually hope to put it
on display, give this beautiful railcar a permanent home at Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn in Griffith Park.

Through special arrangement with the Pacific Coast Railroad,
the Carolwood Foundation will reunite 5 of the 6 cars that used to make up the
original Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad. And given that the combine coach
has not actually carried any passengers since 1974 ... Well, this fundraiser will
give rail fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience what Walt himself
supposedly said was his very favorite part of the SF & DL Railroad.

Mind you, there'll be more to this excursion than just
getting the chance to ride aboard that combine coach. Just like the Carolwood
Foundation's wildly successful Spring 2010 fundraiser, "Together Again" will
feature tantalizing cuisine, excellent company as well as outstanding guest
speakers. Which will include:

And did I mention that much of this event takes place aboard
beautifully restored private railcars?

The Silver Splendor sails along the rails.Photo courtesy of The Carolwood Foundation. All rights reserved

Now where this gets interesting is that this two-day
excursion (which starts on October 30th) actually departs from two separate
Californian cities. So if you'd like to begin your journey up in Oakland, you'll
be riding aboard the domed observation car Silver Lariat and listening to
presentations by Floyd & Jeff. If - on the other hand - you'd
prefer to start out in LA, you'll then be riding in the Silver Splendor (i.e. the
domed car featured in the Carolwood Foundation's Spring 2010 trip) and
listening to talks by Tony & Ray.

This Saturday morning excursion features an onboard lunch and
will come to a close once both trains have arrived in San Luis Obispo. Where
event participants will then be cut loose for the afternoon to explore this
charming Central Coast City before everyone then regroups that evening for a
special panel discussion. Where all four of this Carolwood Foundation's guest
speakers will share their thoughts on why "Story is King" at Walt Disney
Animation Studios, Walt Disney Imagineering & Pixar Animation Studios.

After this panel discussion is completed (which will include
a screening of some rare Disney shows as well as a live auction of some amazing
collectibles), participants will then depart for the nearby San Luis Obispo Embassy Suites.
Where - after a restful night's sleep - they'll then be taken by bus out to the
storied Santa Margarita Ranch. Where these lucky folks will then get the chance
to ride aboard the Pacific Coast Railroad behind an authentic steam engine.

Photo by Dave Kastner of the San Luis Obispo County Film Commission

And once this reunion of 5 of the 6 cars that used to make
up the original Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad concludes, participants will
enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch before they then board the busses for that trip to
the San Luis Obispo Amtrak station. Where - from there - this folks will then
begin their journeys back home (which feature a scrumptious dinner served
aboard these beautifully restored railcars).

It all sounds terrific, don't you think? But wait! It gets
better. If you're a Los Angeles-based rail fan who's willing to spend a little
bit more in order to help the Carolwood Foundation out with its combine coach
project, you can have a truly intimate & elegant experience as you travel
back and forth to San Luis Obispo. You can purchase a seat aboard the famed
Scottish Thistle. Which is this meticulously restored business car that was
built for the use of the senior executives of the Canadian National Railway.

Now the Thistle only has room for 16 passengers. But folks
who opt to ride in this "rail yacht" will have a private chef at their
disposal. Not to mention quality time with Tony & Ray. So if you're ever
had a Disney-related question that you've wanted Mr. Baxter to answer,
purchasing a seat aboard the Scottish Thistle is one way to maybe make that
dream come true.

A word of warning, though: Making a dream like that come
true doesn't come cheap. The price tag for taking part in "Together Again" is
$575 per person (if you'd like to ride aboard the Silver Lariat or Silver
Splendor) or $875 per person (to book passage on that "rail yacht," the
Scottish Thistle).

Which (I know) sounds pricey. But let's remember that all of
the monies collected from this fundraiser go to a very good cause. Which is to create a
permanent display / home for the original Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad's
combine coach. Which (hopefully) will be built right next door to Walt Disney's
Carolwood Barn in Griffith Park someday every soon.

You also need to be aware that - given the limited number of
seats available to these beautifully restored private railcars - tickets are
expected to go fast for this two day event. More to the point, a 50% deposit is
required by September 24th. So
if you'd like to take part in "Together Again," The Carolwood Foundation's Fall
2010 fundraiser, you 'd best get a move on.

Enjoying the view from inside of the Silver Lariat. Photo courtesy of The Carolwood Foundation. All rights reserved

So if you're looking to take part in this trip, please send
an email to railtrip@carolwood.org. And then please indicate whether you want
to ride aboard the Silver Splendor out of Los Angeles, the Silver Lariat out of
Oakland or book passage on the Scottish Thistle, also out of Los Angeles.

For further information (including the special discounted
rate that the Carolwood Foundation has arranged for "Together Again" participants
who are looking to stay at the San Luis Obsipo Embassy Suites on October 30th),
please click on this link.

I'm also sorry to know that the California Zephyr replica is about to depart. It's my personal favorite part of the current DCA; just like the Red Cars will be my favorite part of the new DCA. I'm sure the locomotive will go to a good home. Regarding the rail trip; I'm not going but I will say that the Silver Lariat is a great ride!